Kristine Coons

Kristine Coons

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2572731/fan_mail/new] Dr. Kristine Coons, DO, FACOI is a transgender intersex physician who specializes in internal medicine and works for Providence Health where she has worked for the past 12 years. She is a native Washingtonian and has lived here in Spokane with her wife and four children for the past 12 years. As part of her work with Providence Health, Dr. Coons serves as Project Lead for Intersex Care. This role is also supportive to LGBTQIA+ program within Providence. She was also recently elected to the board of directors of InterACT Advocacy, which is one of the largest intersex advocacy groups in the nation. Dr. Coons focuses her research and advocacy on improving communication and relationships between the LGBTQIA+ communities. This has been done through broadening our understanding of genetics and human development; through the field of cognitive linguistics. Part of this work has been to understand, discuss, and bridge the relationships between the intersex, gay, transgender, and queer communities Dr. Coons has spoken at numerous universities, medical, and social organizations across the country. She has worked to help overturn hurtful legislation and discussed care and justice with several government officials. Her work has also extended across international borders to support organizations around the world, including Canada and Europe. Dr. Coons also teaches medical students and was awarded Preceptor of the Year for PNWU in 2022 and 2025.

Ron Hardy

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2572731/fan_mail/new] Dr. Ron Hardy has been a good friend of our family for 20 years. He works in women’s health as an OB/GYN here in Spokane Washington. When I, Rhonda Monson, have mental health clients who are pregnant and have anxiety or past trauma with birth and delivery I always refer them to Dr. Hardy as I know they will be in good hands. I have been thanked many times by these clients. He and his beautiful wife Jennifer are the proud parents of 6 amazing adult children. He is also currently serving as stake president for the Spokane Washington North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Ron Hardy is one of the kindest men I know, and he is a very busy man, we were honored to have him take the time to be a guest for our podcast.

Doree Handford

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2572731/fan_mail/new] A Parent's Paradise Charities founder Doree Handford is a mother of six, childbirth educator, doula, speaker, and passionate advocate for families who believes parents were never meant to do this alone. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood — while also raising four children on the autism spectrum — she has dedicated her life to creating spaces where parents feel seen, supported, and empowered. Through her nonprofit work, public speaking, and community events like Mom Prom, Doree is leading a movement to break generational cycles of isolation and overwhelm by building stronger communities around parents. Her vision is not only to provide practical resources and respite care, but to help create a cultural shift where asking for support is normalized and families can truly thrive.

Russ Gaede

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2572731/fan_mail/new] Russell C. Gaede, PsyD, is a consultant, mediator, and therapist with over two decades of experience specializing in trauma and complex human behavior. Holding degrees in Administration of Justice, business, and Clinical Psychology, Dr. Russ blends academic rigor with practical, boots-on-the-ground experience. Having overcome significant personal hurdles—including a high school departure and a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome—he offers a unique perspective on human potential, rehabilitation, and what it means to walk with others. He is author of "Playing 20 Questions with your Fiancé". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmjjdzck6y8&t=1s https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/profile/23392/russell-gaede

Josh Taylor

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2572731/fan_mail/new] Today we welcome Josh Taylor as our guest. We met Josh over 17 years ago when our family was involved with Christian Youth Theater Spokane. Josh was an immediate light in all of our lives, greeting us with warm open arms and a big heart as soon as he met us. Among others at CYT, he welcomed us and made CYT feel like home. We were always so impressed by how outgoing and charismatic Josh was, but mostly by how well and how deeply he loved others. Josh is truly one of the kindest people that we have the privilege of knowing.  In our years with CYT, we once asked Beth, Josh’s wonderful mother, why and how Josh was the way that he was. She told us that it was a choice that he made, to be like Jesus. The way he welcomed everyone into his heart is proof of that conviction that he had from the time he was just a boy.  In his adult years, Josh has worked in ministry at Eastern Washington University in Cheney Washington working to fellowship and support young adults through the transformative time of their college years. His inspiration for this work came through his devotion to Jesus Christ, as well as his own experience as a young adult having similar support through those that came before him in this form of ministry. While he loves his work, he has found that his true overarching calling is to create gathering spaces for God’s children to come together in love and support.  In his work, he has shared the walk with many people of all different perspectives, and he feels that through these other perspectives, he now is able to see life through a variety of lenses, deepening faith, understanding, compassion, and appreciation for all people.  Josh is married to his sweetheart, Petra, and together, they are doing what they can to share the light of God, and be his hands whenever and wherever they are able. Josh believes that we are all able to do this work regardless of our career choices, occupation, or life path.  Josh continues to be a beautiful inspiration to us and others through how he chooses to live, and we are so excited for you to meet him through this episode.